Single-fastener mounting plate for electrical outlets

ABSTRACT

A mounting plate for an electrical outlet includes a central region having a front surface, a rear surface, and an opening for accessing an outlet. A first mounting tab and a second mounting tab extend from the central region at an angle. The mounting plate may be used to attach an outlet to an outlet housing having a wiring compartment and a panel at least partially enclosing the wiring compartment. The panel has a front wall and an opening for receiving an outlet.

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of co-pending, prior-filed U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/132,561, filed Dec. 18, 2013, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to mounting plates for electrical outlets and electrical outlet housings.

BACKGROUND

Mounting assemblies and brackets have been developed for supporting electrical outlets in housings such as in wall electrical boxes. Typically, an outlet is attached to a housing by fasteners placed into a grounding strap. A cover plate or face plate is then attached to the electrical device to cover the open end of the electrical box, hide the grounding straps, and provide a decorative appearance. Face plates are typically attached by one or more screws that extend through a screw hole in the face plate and threadedly engage a threaded bore in the electrical device.

In addition to standard wall mounted outlets, other outlet housings, such as floor boxes, have been developed to provide modular solutions permitting access to multiple electrical, data, and communication outlets. Typical electrical floor boxes have two, four or more wiring compartments around a rectangular or square center access cavity with the same number of face plates. A cover is placed over the access cavity that lies flush, or close to flush, with the floor surface. The wiring compartments are capable of receiving different types of electrical, data, and communication outlets depending on the needs and desires of the user. Accordingly, the outlets are often installed in the wiring compartments after installation of the floor box and the outlets may need to be changed or replaced over time.

Typical prior systems require numerous and sometimes complicated fastening devices for the face plates over the outlets that are time-consuming to install and repair. Typical outlet housings include those described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,041,238 to Penczak titled “Preset Housing for Electrical Distribution Box”, U.S. Pat. No. 4,591,656 to Mohr titled “Activation Kits for Pre-sets”, U.S. Pat. No. 5,285,009 to Bowman titled “Electrical Floor Box”, U.S. Pat. No. 5,362,922 to Whitehead titled “Electrical Floor Box Divider”, and U.S. Pat. No. 8,350,154 to Shotey titled “Universal Wall Plate Mount”, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference for their general relevance and are not meant to supersede the description and definitions set forth herein.

SUMMARY

In accordance with an embodiment, a mounting plate for an outlet includes a central region, a first mounting tab, and a second mounting tab. The central region has a front surface, a rear surface, and an opening for accessing an outlet. The first mounting tab extends from the central region at an angle and includes a first slot. A second mounting tab extends from the central region.

In accordance with a further embodiment, a mounting plate for an electrical outlet includes a central region having a front surface, a rear surface, and an opening for accessing an outlet. A first mounting tab and a second mounting tab extend from the central region at an angle.

In accordance with a further embodiment, an outlet housing includes a wiring compartment and a panel at least partially enclosing the wiring compartment. The panel has a front wall and an opening. A mounting feature extends from the front wall. A mounting plate is attached to an outlet. The mounting plate has a slot configured to engage the mounting feature to at least partially retain the mounting plate and the outlet in a position with respect to the panel.

In accordance with another embodiment, a method of positioning an outlet in a housing includes attaching an outlet to a mounting plate. The mounting plate includes a central region, a front surface, a rear surface, and an opening for accessing the outlet. A first mounting tab and a second mounting tab extend from the central region at an angle. The mounting tab includes a first slot and a second slot. The mounting plate is positioned proximate to an outlet housing. The outlet housing has a wiring compartment, a panel at least partially enclosing the wiring compartment, a mounting feature extending from the panel, and a mounting aperture. The first slot is engaged with the mounting feature and a fastener is attached through the second slot and into the mounting aperture.

Other embodiments, including apparatus, systems, methods, and the like which constitute part of the invention, will become more apparent upon reading the following detailed description of the exemplary embodiments and viewing the drawings. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and therefore not restrictive.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification. The drawings, together with the general description given above and the detailed description of the exemplary embodiments and methods given below, serve to explain the principles of the invention. In such drawings:

FIG. 1 is a right perspective exploded view of an outlet housing, outlet, and mounting plate according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged right perspective view of the mounting plate shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of the mounting plate of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a top elevational view of the mounting plate of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a rear elevational view of the mounting plate of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a partial perspective view of the outlet housing shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a partial perspective view of the outlet housing, outlet, and mounting plate shown in FIG. 1 in a position about to be installed;

FIG. 8 is a partial top plan view of the outlet housing, outlet, and mounting plate shown in FIG. 1 with the mounting plate about to be coupled to a mounting feature on the housing;

FIG. 9 is a partial perspective view of the outlet housing, outlet, and mounting plate shown in FIG. 1 with the mounting plate about to be coupled to a mounting feature on the housing as in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a partial perspective view of the outlet housing, outlet, and mounting plate shown in FIG. 1 with the mounting plate coupled to a mounting feature on the housing;

FIG. 11 is a partial, front elevational view in section taken along line 11-11 in FIG. 1 of the outlet housing, outlet, and mounting plate shown in FIG. 1 with the mounting plate secured over the outlet and onto the housing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT(S) AND EXEMPLARY METHOD(S)

Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary embodiments and methods of the invention as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate like or corresponding parts throughout the drawings. It should be noted, however, that the invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the specific details, representative devices and methods, and illustrative examples shown and described in connection with the exemplary embodiments and methods.

FIG. 1 depicts a horizontally disposed outlet housing 10 having a wiring compartment 12 partially enclosed by a panel 14. An electrical outlet 16 is to be attached to a mounting plate 18. The mounting plate 18 is attached to the panel 14 so that the outlet 16 is positioned in the wiring compartment 12 and extends outwardly therefrom. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the outlet housing 10 is a floor box 20 intended to be recessed in a concrete or raised access floor. The floor box 20 has a main compartment or central cavity 22 allowing a user to access one or more outlets 16 with corresponding electrical cables and plugs or other connectors and/or to work on the floor box 20. The term user may be used in different context herein and shall refer to any person including one who is using, installing, repairing, or performing any operation with or on the outlet housing 10, outlet 16, or mounting plate 18.

The floor box 20 is embedded in the floor with the outlet 16 being accessible to a user through a cover (not shown), the top of which is generally level with the top of the floor. The outlet housing 10 need not be a floor box, and in various alternative embodiments may be any type of outlet box, junction box, recessed housing, poke through, etc.

As best shown in FIGS. 2-5, the mounting plate 18 includes a central region 26 having a front surface 28 and a rear surface 30. The mounting plate 18 may be made from a resilient material, for example metal or plastic. The front surface 28 is designed to face towards the main compartment 22 while the rear surface 30 faces the panel 14. The central region 26 includes an opening 32 allowing access to an outlet 16. As best shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the opening 32 has a substantially rectangular shape with rounded corners. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 9, the opening 32 is designed to receive the outlet face 34. The outlet face 34 is shown as extending at least partially through the opening 32, although it may also lie flush with the front surface 28. In various alternative embodiments, the opening 32 may have different shapes and sizes to accommodate different outlets 16. More than one opening 32 may also be provided as necessary.

The central region 26 also includes a pair of fastening apertures 36. The apertures 36 receive fasteners 38, such as threaded fasteners, for attaching the mounting plate 18 to the outlet 16. For example, as best shown in FIG. 1, the fasteners 38 extend through the mounting plate 18 and into the mounting strap 40 of the outlet 16. The fasteners 38, however, may connect to any part of the outlet 16. In various alternative embodiments, one fastening aperture 36 or more than two fastening apertures 36 may be provided depending on the configuration of outlet 16. The fasteners 38 may be mechanical fasteners such as bolts, screws, or a type of interlocking joint. The mounting plate 18 may also be attached to the outlet 16 through adhesives or bonding, or the mounting plate 18 may be formed integrally with the outlet 16.

The mounting plate 18 includes a first mounting tab 42 and a second mounting tab 44. The first and second mounting tabs 42, 44 may extend from opposite ends of the central region 26 oriented horizontally or vertically. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the first mounting tab 42 and the second mounting tab 44 each extend at an angle to the central region 26. The first and second mounting tabs 42, 44 extend at an obtuse angle relative to the front surface 28, the degree of the angle may vary. For example, the first and second mounting tabs 42,44 may extend at an angle in the approximate range of about 172 to about 174 degrees from the front surface 28. Various exemplary embodiments may utilize mounting tabs 42, 44 without an angle or only a single angled mounting tab. The mounting tabs 42, 44 may be resilient and allow for a certain about of flexure. The mounting tabs 42, 44 are shown as integral with the central region 26, although they may be formed separately and affixed thereto.

The mounting plate 18 also includes a first aperture or open-end slot 46 and a second aperture or open-ended slot 48 at opposite ends of the mounting plate 18. Although first and second slots 46, 48 are shown, a single slot may be used alone or in connection with an aperture or opening. For example, the second slot 48 may be replaced with a circular aperture or other opening. The first and second slots 46, 48 extend into the first and second mounting tabs 42, 44 respectively. In various exemplary embodiments, the first and second slots 46, 48 may extend partially into the first and second mounting tabs 42, 44 or partially into the central region 26.

The mounting plate 18 includes one or more vertical and horizontal score lines 50 defining one or more knockout regions 52. In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, there are three vertical score lines 50A, 50B, 50C on each side of the front surface 28 and FIG. 5 shows three vertical score lines 50A, 50B, 50C and two horizontal score lines 50D, 50E on each side of the rear surface 30. In the exemplary embodiment shown, four knockout regions 52A, 52B, 52C, 52D are present on each side of the mounting plate 18. The score lines 50 may extend partially into the front and/or rear surfaces 28, 30, through the front and/or rear surfaces 20, 30, or any combination thereof. The score lines 50 reduce the thickness of the mounting plate 18, create areas of structural weakness, and allow a user to easily breakaway and separate the knockout regions 52 from the mounting plate 18 by hand or by using a tool, such as pliers, altering the shape of the mounting plate 18 to fit in different configurations of outlet housings 10.

As best shown in FIGS. 6-11, the mounting plate 18 allows a user to quickly and easily attach and secure and detach the outlet 16 in the floor box 20. The vertical panel 14 of the floor box 20 has a front wall 54 and a top wall 56 partially enclosing the wiring compartment 12. The front wall 54 faces the main compartment 22. In other exemplary configurations the panel 14 may have additional walls including side, bottom, and rear walls. The panel 14 includes a panel opening 58 that provides access to the wiring compartment 12 from the main compartment 22. The panel opening 58 is shown in the front wall 54, although in various exemplary embodiments, the opening 58 may also be placed in other walls, for example the top wall 56. The opening 58 and the wiring compartment 12 are depicted as substantially rectangular in a horizontal orientation, with the long end of the wiring compartment 12 substantially parallel to the bottom of the floor box 20. In an alternative embodiment, the panel opening 58 and the wiring compartment 12 may be oriented substantially vertically, with the long end of the wiring compartment substantially orthogonal to the bottom of the floor box 20.

A mounting feature 60 extends rigidly from the front wall 54 proximate to the opening 58. As best shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the mounting feature 60 is on the external side of the panel opening 58 proximate to an exterior wall of floor box 20, although it may be positioned on the interior side if desired. A mounting aperture 62 is positioned opposite the mounting feature 60 in the front wall 54. The mounting aperture 62 extends through the front wall 54, although a blind aperture may also be used. The mounting aperture 62 may include threads for threadedly receiving a fastener. In a vertical orientation, the mounting feature 60 could be positioned on the top side or the bottom side of the panel opening 58. The mounting feature 60 may be formed integrally with the front wall 54 or it may be separately attached to the front wall 54 during manufacture or subsequently by a user via a threaded, welded, or other mechanical connection.

In the exemplary embodiment shown, the mounting feature 60 includes a post 64 and a knob 66 extending from the post 64. The post 64 and the knob 66 are both substantially cylindrical, although other shapes may be used. In various exemplary embodiments, the mounting feature 60 may be a mechanical fastener that is attached to the panel 14. The mounting feature 60 is designed to engage with the first or second slot 46, 48 of the mounting plate 18. This description may refer to either the first or second slots 46, 48 interchangeably. The post 64 has a width or diameter sized to fit within the first slot 46 and be slightly smaller. The knob 66 has a width or diameter sized larger than the first slot 46 and acts to retain the mounting plate 18. When the first mounting tab 42 is angled, it will flex to take up a variable amount of space between the base of the knob 66 and the front wall 54. Although a post 64 and a knob 66 are shown and described, the mounting feature 60 may be any structure that is configured to engage the mounting plate 18 and hold it in a desired position or range of positions.

Operation

Outlet housings 10 are not always easily accessible to an installer or a user. For example, when a floor box 20 is recessed into a floor, certain parts of the main compartment are not easily reached or are obstructed by other features. This is especially true where a large number of wiring compartments 16 are placed in a floor box 20 having overall dimensions optimized to be as small as possible. In certain instances, it may be difficult for a user or installer to access, mount, or remove an outlet using traditional mechanical fasteners. These difficulties may be compounded with the need to create versatile outlet housings 10 that can accommodate different outlets 16 and allow a user or installer to easily change one type of outlet 16 for another.

During an installation operation, a user may first detach one or more knockout regions 52 if required by the configuration of the outlet housing 10. The outlet 16 is then attached to the mounting plate 18, for example by the fasteners 38 as shown in FIG. 1. The outlet 16 is then connected to wiring housed in the wiring compartment 12. Alternatively, the outlet 16 may be wired and then connected to the mounting plate 18. As best shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the mounting plate 18 is initially held on an angle and positioned near the mounting feature 60. The mounting plate 18 is then moved so that the first slot 46 engages the post 64. Positioning the first slot 46 on the post 64 allows a user to easily and quickly align the outlet 16 with the wiring compartment 12 and to secure one side of the mounting plate 18.

As best shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, once the first slot 46 is positioned on the post 64, the user may pivot the other end of the resilient mounting plate 18 towards the front wall 54 and place the rear surface 30 near or into engagement with the front wall 54. The user may then insert a mounting fastener 68 through the second aperture or slot 48 and into the mounting aperture 62, complete the insertion of the fastener 68, and orient the mounting plate against and substantially parallel to the front wall 54. Once the mounting fastener 68 is completely attached to the front wall 54, the outlet 16 is secured in the wiring compartment 12. As discussed above, only a single slot 46 may be used to engage the post 64 and the mounting plate 18 may have a different type of opening, such as a hole with a closed perimeter (not shown) for receiving the mounting fastener 68. By using a single fastener to attach the mounting plate 18, the amount of effort and time needed to install the outlet is reduced and the amount of parts needed is reduced.

When installing the outlet 16, certain areas of the outlet housing 10 may be more easily accessible than others. In the exemplary floor box 20 shown, the interior side of the panel opening 58 is more easily accessible than the exterior side due to placement of additional components. These components may hinder a user from easily attaching a fastener. In such instances, the mounting feature 60 eliminates this problem. In alternative embodiments utilizing a vertical orientation, it may be easier to access the top of the panel opening 58 so the mounting feature 60 may be placed on the bottom of the panel opening 58.

The foregoing detailed description of the certain exemplary embodiments has been provided for the purpose of explaining the principles of the invention and its practical application, thereby enabling others skilled in the art to understand the invention for various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. This description is not necessarily intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise embodiments disclosed. Any of the embodiments and/or elements disclosed herein may be combined with one another to form various additional embodiments not specifically disclosed. Accordingly, additional embodiments are possible and are intended to be encompassed within this specification and the scope of the appended claims. The specification describes specific examples to accomplish a more general goal that may be accomplished in another way.

Only those claims which use the words “means for” are to be interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An outlet housing comprising: a wiring compartment; a panel at least partially enclosing the wiring compartment and including a first feature; an outlet; and a mounting plate coupled to the outlet, the mounting plate including a central region having an opening, the opening receiving a portion of the outlet and permitting access to the outlet, the mounting plate further including a first portion and a second portion, the first portion positioned adjacent a first edge of the central region and oriented at an angle relative to the central region, the first portion including a second feature configured to engage the first feature positioned on the panel and retain the mounting plate relative to the panel, the second portion positioned adjacent a second edge of the central region; and a fastener extending through the second portion and removably coupled to the panel.
 2. The outlet housing of claim 1, wherein the first feature includes a protrusion connected to an outer surface of the panel, wherein the second feature includes an aperture in the first portion for receiving the protrusion, the second portion including a second aperture for receiving the fastener.
 3. The outlet housing of claim 1, wherein the angle of the first portion relative to the central region is obtuse.
 4. The mounting plate of claim 3, wherein the angle of the first portion relative to the central region is between approximately 172 degrees and approximately 174 degrees.
 5. The outlet housing of claim 1, wherein the angle of the first portion is a first angle, the second portion oriented at a second angle relative to the central region, wherein the first angle and the second angle are obtuse.
 6. The outlet housing of claim 1, wherein the outlet is one of an electrical outlet, a data outlet, and a communication outlet.
 7. The outlet housing of claim 1, wherein the mounting plate further includes at least one score line defining a knock-out section, the at least one score line positioned on at least one of the central region, the first portion, and the second portion.
 8. The outlet housing of claim 1, wherein the first feature includes a post extending from an outer surface of the panel and a projection attached to the post and spaced apart from the outer surface of the panel.
 9. The outlet housing of claim 8, wherein the second feature includes an aperture receiving at least a portion of the post such that edges of the aperture extend at least partially around the post.
 10. The outlet housing of claim 8, wherein at least an edge of the first portion is positioned between the projection and the panel.
 11. An outlet housing comprising: a wiring compartment; a panel at least partially enclosing the wiring compartment; an outlet; a mounting plate coupled to the outlet, the mounting plate including a central region having an opening, the opening receiving at least a portion of the outlet and permitting access to the outlet, the mounting plate further including a first portion and a second portion, the first portion positioned adjacent a first edge of the central region and oriented at an angle relative to the central region, the second portion positioned adjacent a second edge of the central region; a protrusion connected to one of the panel and the first portion of the mounting plate; an aperture positioned on the other of the panel and the first portion of the mounting plate, the aperture receiving at least a portion of the protrusion to retain the first portion of the mounting plate against movement relative to the panel; and a fastener extending through the second portion and removably coupled to the panel.
 12. The outlet housing of claim 11, wherein the protrusion is connected to an outer surface of the panel, wherein the aperture is positioned on the first portion.
 13. The outlet housing of claim 11, wherein the angle of the first portion relative to the central region is obtuse.
 14. The outlet housing of claim 11, wherein the angle of the first portion is a first angle, the second portion oriented at a second angle relative to the central region, wherein the first angle and the second angle are obtuse.
 15. The outlet housing of claim 11, wherein the outlet is one of an electrical outlet, a data outlet, and a communication outlet.
 16. The outlet housing of claim 11, wherein the mounting plate further includes at least one score line defining a knock-out section, the at least one score line positioned on at least one of the central region, the first portion, and the second portion.
 17. The outlet housing of claim 11, wherein the protrusion includes a post extending from an outer surface of the panel and a projection attached to the post and spaced apart from the outer surface of the panel.
 18. The outlet housing of claim 17, wherein the aperture receives at least a portion of the post, wherein at least an edge of the first portion is positioned between the projection and the panel.
 19. A method of installing an outlet in a housing, the method comprising: attaching the outlet to a mounting plate, the mounting plate including a central region having an opening, the opening receiving at least a portion of the outlet and permitting access to the outlet, the mounting plate further including a first portion and a second portion, the first portion positioned adjacent a first edge of the central region and oriented at an angle relative to the central region, the second portion positioned adjacent a second edge of the central region; positioning the first portion of the mounting plate proximate a surface of a panel such that a first feature on the first portion engages a second feature connected to the panel; pivoting said mounting plate about the first portion to move the second portion toward the panel; and securing the second portion of the mounting plate relative to the panel.
 20. The method of claim 19, wherein the first feature is an aperture and the second feature is a protrusion that is received at least partially into the aperture. 